In brief
A Ukrainian man suspected of participating in the 2022 explosions that ruptured the Nord Stream pipelines has been arrested in Croatia. German prosecutors allege he was one of the scuba divers who planted explosives after Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine. The suspect, believed to be Volodymyr Zhuravlyov, was previously detained in Poland where extradition was denied. Authorities are now seeking his extradition from Croatia to face charges in Germany. The case adds new tension to already strained Kyiv‑Berlin relations.
Ukrainian diver arrested in Croatia over Nord Stream blasts
A Ukrainian man has been arrested in Croatia on suspicion of taking part in the September 2022 explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipelines.
German prosecutors allege the suspect was one of the scuba-divers who planted explosives on the pipelines after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Authorities say the name was given as “Vladimir Z,” but it is understood to be Volodymyr Zhuravlyov, who was earlier detained in Poland in 2025 over the same plot.
The Polish court had refused a German extradition request in 2025, arguing that if Ukraine was responsible it was a ‘just’ act.
In the recent arrest, officials are now pursuing extradition from Croatia and expect to bring him before an investigating judge in Germany.
Another suspect, former Ukrainian military officer Serhiy Kuznetsov, was arrested in Italy in August 2025 and has been extradited to Germany for trial.
The Nord Stream 1 pipeline was already operating at the time, while Nord Stream 2 had yet to begin service.
While official Kyiv denies any role, international pressure over the pipelines has escalated, with Poland, Ukraine and the United States opposing the project’s reliance on Russian gas.
Read more: Polish judge refuses to extradite Ukrainian Nord Stream blast suspect
